Transport Container Side Wall Drainage Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport and storage containers with drainage openings on the bottom are unsuitable for automated transport due to obstruction by loads and can cause false signals in light barrier systems, while side wall openings disrupt automated transport, and existing solutions fail to meet liquid drainage standards.
Innovation Solution
The transport and storage container features drainage openings on the side walls covered by an outer cover, ensuring liquids can escape without interfering with automated transport systems, with a sufficient distance between the cover and side wall to allow unhindered liquid discharge, meeting FM Global and VdS standards for liquid levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drainage openings are made in the side walls proximal to the base plate, then liquid drainage is improved, but automated transport is disrupted due to false signals from light barrier systems
Solution Approach 1:
An outer cover is introduced as an intermediary element that covers the drainage openings from the outside. This cover blocks light from passing through the openings, preventing false signals to light barrier systems during automated transport, while still allowing liquids to escape through the openings to the outside environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function is moved from the bottom surface to the side walls of the container. By positioning drainage openings in the side walls at a distance from the base plate, the solution enables effective drainage while maintaining compatibility with automated transport systems that use bottom-mounted light barriers.
2Reliability
If drainage openings are made on the bottom of the container, then liquid drainage is improved, but the openings are covered by the load and water drainage is severely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage openings are relocated from the bottom surface to the side walls of the container. This spatial relocation allows drainage to occur laterally rather than from the bottom, preventing load obstruction while maintaining effective liquid discharge capability.
3Ease of operation
If the outer cover is placed close to the side wall, then automated transport detection is improved, but liquid discharge is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The distance parameter between the outer cover and the side wall is optimized to a specific range. This distance is sufficient to allow unhindered liquid escape through the drainage openings while maintaining proper positioning for automated transport detection systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures reliable liquid discharge and meets stringent liquid level requirements while preventing false signals during automated transport, maintaining container stability and minimizing residual liquid volume even in non-horizontal orientations.
Implementation Method 1
This ensures that a light beam from a light barrier, which preferably strikes perpendicularly, cannot pass through the outer cover and/or the side wall or even through the entire transport and storage container.
Implementation Method 2
a sufficient distance from the side wall, so that liquids can escape essentially unhindered
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport and storage container (1) for keeping and transporting goods, with a base plate (2) and side walls (3a-3d) which extend perpendicularly from the base plate (2) and together form a peripheral upper container edge (4), at least two side walls (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) preferably arranged opposite one another in the transport and storage container (1) have a plurality of drainage openings (5) for liquids at least in the area proximal to the base plate (2), and the drainage openings (5) are covered on the outside by means of at least one outer cover (6), preferably a continuous outer cover (6).